As dawn broke, the plaza outside Konoha was already packed with people.
"Have you heard? The Queen is going to announce something very important here today!"
"What major event could there be? The Shinobi World has already been unified; are we going to have to fight another war?"
"Bullshit! Didn't you see that ninjas from all the villages have come to Konoha? The high-ranking ninjas from the Lightning, Water, Rock, Sand shinobi, and Fire villages, as well as the ninja leaders from various smaller countries, are all sitting in the front row!"
Whispers washed over the crowd like a tide until three clear gongs rang out from the high platform on the east side of the square. A maid in a scarlet court robe lifted the brocade curtain, and Tian Flying Swallow walked onto the platform in wooden clogs. Suddenly, the once noisy square became so quiet that you could hear the wind blowing through the banners.
She wasn't wearing armor today; her moon-white casual clothes were covered by a scarlet haori, and her black hair was tied up in a high bun with a gilded hairpin, revealing her smooth forehead. The eyes of tens of thousands of high-ranking ninjas below the stage all fell on her, filled with awe, curiosity, and a hint of the fear that a remnant of a defeated nation couldn't hide.
"Quiet down." Tian Flying Swallow's voice wasn't loud, but it carried far on the wind. "I know among you are old comrades from the Land of Fire, and also new friends who have just surrendered." She raised her hand to press down. "This year saw the most brutal war in the history of the Shinobi World, with our Shinobi World internal conflict and invasions from various alien races. Fortunately, my Shinobi World was unified, and we ultimately defeated all the alien invasions. The deadliest countries in this Shinobi World's death toll were the Land of Water, the Land of Earth, the Land of Iron, the Land of Land of Hot Water, and the Land of Rain. The mortality rate for the people of these five countries was over eighty percent. Now that the Shinobi World is unified, I, Tian Flying Swallow, hereby declare—"
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the faces of the people below the stage, some weathered, some young. "From this day forward, all commoners of my Land of Fire shall be exempt from taxes for five years!"
The crowd was stunned for a moment, then erupted into thunderous cheers. The ninjas from the five countries rubbed their ears vigorously until the cheering voices beside them shouted, "It really is a five-year tax exemption! This has never happened in the aristocratic era!" before they plopped down on the ground and wiped away their tears.
"And that's not all!" Tian Flying Swallow and the others cheered a little less, then continued, "For families that have children, there's a reward of 100,000 taels for each child, and 300,000 taels for three. The government even covers hospital expenses!"
Even the civilian ninjas in the back rows pushed forward. Several women holding children looked at each other, their eyes shining like stars. A female ninja from Sunagakure clutched the swaddled baby in her arms. Her husband had died on the battlefield, and she was worried about not being able to raise the child. At this moment, her lips trembled, and she couldn't speak for a long time.
"Children need to be taught skills after they're born, right?" Tian Flying Swallow smiled. "Starting next month, ninja academies will be built in every city. Regardless of whether they are boys or girls, everyone must attend to learn to read, do arithmetic, and practice Ninjutsu —all free of charge! The textbooks will be compiled by Konoha, and teachers will be selected from ninjas from various countries. Anyone who dares to disrupt education will be severely punished according to the law!"
A commotion arose again in the crowd. Previously, only children of ninja clans or noble families could study and learn skills; commoners were lucky if they could even recognize their own names. One commoner stared blankly at the queen on the platform, the things in his hands falling to the ground with a thud—his father had said yesterday that he would send him to apprentice as a carpenter after the autumn harvest; now it seemed, perhaps he could finally go to school?
"One last thing," Tian Flying Swallow's voice suddenly turned serious, "The days when each country had its own rules, and nobles could simply kill someone and pay with a cow, are over." She gestured, and a maid stepped forward carrying a scroll. "From this day forward, a unified legal code will be implemented throughout the country. Those who steal, kill, or embezzle will all be dealt with according to what is written here! No one will be allowed special treatment! Everyone is equal before the law."
Tsunade nodded slightly from below the stage, Jiraiya beside her whispered, "This queen has far more charisma than her father, Daimyo."
As Tian Flying Swallow stepped down from the stage, she was surrounded and cheered by the crowd. After finally managing to get out of the throng, a lame old ninja, leaning on a cane, approached and knelt on the ground with a thud. "Your Majesty! My son died in battle. Could you allow his name to be inscribed on the Memorial Stone?"
Tian Flying Swallow helped him up. "All the soldiers who died in the Land of Fire will be enshrined in the Yan Nation Shrine of the Loyal Martyrs Kingdom, and the imperial court will provide their families with monthly pensions."
"Your Majesty!" A woman carrying a child squeezed through the crowd. "My husband is from Kumogakure, but he's currently unemployed in Konoha. Could he work in Konoha's workshops?"
"Yes." Tian Flying Swallow patted the child's head. "Starting next month, various factories will be built across the country, with priority given to recruiting people from all countries. Food and lodging will be provided, and wages will be settled daily."
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and the initially apprehensive foreigners gradually put on smiles. A ninja from Kirigakure murmured, "I've heard that life in the Land of Fire is truly human... It seems it's true?"
A ninja nearby chimed in, "More than that! Didn't you hear what the Queen said? From now on, children will go to school for free, everyone will be equal, and they'll even be given jobs and money. This life... will probably be a million times better than the old aristocratic era."
When he returned to the palace, Tsubasa was sitting on the veranda drinking tea. He was dressed in black casual clothes. When he saw Tian Flying Swallow enter, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Judging from the commotion outside, the morale of the people in various countries has probably stabilized, right?"
"It's about 70% stable," Tian Flying Swallow said, taking the water from the maid. "The rest will have to be worked out over time." She sat down beside him. "I just received news that several nobles and former officials in the Land of Lightning are making connections. Should we...?"
"No need," Tsubasa interrupted her. "The legal code has already been issued; instruct the local officials to act according to the rules. What we need to do now is not kill people, but to give them hope for a better life." He put down his teacup. "By the way, I went to the Tekka border yesterday."
Tian Flying Swallow raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing there again?"
"It didn't just wander off." Tsubasa pulled a map from his pocket and spread it on the table. "Look at this mountain range. I named it the Yan Emperor Mountain Range. This is where dragon Dragon Vein converge. If we build a capital here and set up a Spirit Gathering Array, it can become a sacred cultivation ground in less than ten years."
Tian Flying Swallow frowned as she stared at the map. "You mean we're moving the capital? The current capital is perfectly fine..."
"What's so good about it?" Tsubasa tapped the map. "The current capital is too small. If you want Yan Nation to become a lasting dynasty, you need to find a place where dragon energy gathers, which will also be beneficial to nurturing the National Fortune." He held her hand. "Believe me, that place is more powerful than any other auspicious feng shui location."
Tian Flying Swallow was silent for a moment. She knew Tsubasa never lied, especially on such important matters. "Establishing a capital city is no small matter; it will take at least three to five years..."
"In less than three to five years," Tsubasa laughed. "If you agree, I can conjure up a city for you tonight."
Tian Flying Swallow glared at him. "You're talking nonsense again."
"Do I look like I'm talking nonsense?" Tsubasa stood up, a pale blue Chakra emanating from his fingertips. " The Shinobi World is unified. Ninjutsu used to be for killing, but now it's time to use it for building our homes. Besides, have you forgotten my old profession? I built all these Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Tower. Now that I'm powerful enough, building a city is a piece of cake."
Three days later, Tian Flying Swallow was officially crowned in the capital square of the Land of Fire amidst the adoration of the people.
The master of ceremonies announced loudly, "Your Majesty, please perform the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven!"
"Tian Shi Flying Swallow, pacifies the chaotic world and unifies the Shinobi World," the master of ceremonies proclaimed loudly, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement, "In accordance with the Ten'i and the hearts of the people, today he ascends the throne as Emperor, and shall be called the Human Emperor!"
Wearing a royal robe embroidered with Jūni symbols, Tian Flying Swallow walked step by step up to the altar and accepted the jade seal handed to her by Tsubasa. The jade seal was made from the Chakra crystals of the Tailed Beast and gleamed with a warm light in the sunlight.
"From this day forth, the name of our nation shall be Yan," she declared, raising the imperial seal, her voice echoing across the land, "May our Yan Nation, like a raging fire, flourish and thrive forever!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The deafening roar of "Long live!" nearly shook the heavens.
Below the altar, Tsunade wiped away tears of emotion and whispered to Orochimaru and Jiraiya beside her, "This day has come only after the sacrifices of countless ninjas! Who would have thought that the first human emperor in the world would be a woman..."
People everywhere spontaneously decorated their homes with lanterns and colorful decorations. Craftsmen in the workshops worked through the night to make fireworks, which exploded into the night sky over the Shinobi World, displaying the two large characters " Yan Nation " in a way that was more dazzling than any Ninjutsu.
After the coronation ceremony, Tian Flying Swallow addressed her ministers, "Issue my decree: the capital shall be moved to the Yan Emperor Mountain Range and renamed Yan Emperor City. All government offices and civilians shall complete the relocation within three months, and the imperial court will provide military escort."
The ministers exchanged bewildered glances, and an old minister said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, building a capital city is not something that can be accomplished in a day..."
Before Tian Flying Swallow could speak, Tsubasa said calmly, "You can go and take a look at the Yan Emperor Mountain Range first thing tomorrow morning."
That night, a seven-colored glow suddenly lit up the sky above the Yan Emperor Mountain Range. The villagers living nearby were so frightened that they hid under their beds. They heard a rumbling sound outside, like countless giant hammers pounding the ground, or like thousands of horses galloping.
Some people mustered their courage to go and investigate, and saw a dark figure hovering in mid-air, his hands Hand Seals mudra and his mouth chanting incantations. With his gestures, the earth began to tremble, the rocks automatically piled up, skyscrapers soared into the clouds, trees rose from the ground and instantly formed forests, glazed tiles shimmered in the moonlight, and marble-paved avenues stretched into the distance. A megacity was built overnight.
The noise gradually subsided as dawn approached.
The next morning, when the first group of officials arrived at the Yan Emperor Mountain Range, they were all stunned.
A majestic city stands amidst mountains and green waters, its vermilion walls reaching ten zhang high, carved with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns. Above the city gate are three gilded characters: Yan Emperor City. The palaces, streets, and residential areas within the city are orderly and well-organized. Even the moat is sparkling, with newly blossoming peach trees planted along its banks.
Standing in Tsubasa plaza before the palace that resembled a celestial palace, Tian Flying Swallow who had rushed over and asked, "How is it? Is it to your liking?"
Tian Flying Swallow walked to his side, looking at the city that had sprung up overnight, and then at the distant, mist-shrouded mountain peaks—where a delicate pavilion could be vaguely seen, clearly the cultivation place that Tsubasa had prepared for himself.
"You..." She shook her head, her eyes full of laughter, "Aren't you afraid of expending too much Spiritual Power?"
"I've built an imperial city for you as a gift." Tsubasa held her hand. "By the way, I've had the city's blueprints sent to your office..."
A month later, Tian Flying Swallow watched as the imperial city gradually became more lively—commoners carrying their luggage to move in, craftsmen gesturing around blueprints, and ninjas helping to move various materials—and the smile on her lips deepened.
This capital city, which appeared overnight, was a hundred times more magnificent and beautiful than any other capital city before it. Flame-shaped patterns were carved on the city walls, and the city gates were made of fine iron and inlaid with the national emblem of the Yan Nation —a phoenix with outstretched wings. The city streets were wide and straight, and the houses on both sides were neat and uniform, including both traditional buildings and modern high-rise buildings.
The Yan Emperor Palace at the very center is even more magnificent, with its glazed golden tiles shimmering in the sunlight. The square in front of the palace can hold millions of people, and in the center of the square stands a dragon pillar, from which spews not water, but an inextinguishable flame.
Standing atop the highest point of the palace, Tsubasa gazed at the city he had built with his own hands, a smile playing on his lips. He turned and headed towards Mount Yanhuang, the dragon Dragon Vein eye of the Yan Emperor Mountain Range. He intended to set up Spirit Gathering Array there, transforming it into a true sacred ground for cultivation.
In the following years, the Shinobi World seemed to be on fast-forward.
Standing on high ground, Tian Flying Swallow looked down upon the land of Yan Nation, her heart filled with grand plans. With a single command, she gathered artisans from all over the Shinobi World. These artisans came from the prosperous Konoha and remote small countries, bringing their skills and wisdom to Yan Emperor City.
Meanwhile, the ninjas also sprang into action. Hatake Sakumo led the ninjas in assisting civilians across the country with large-scale construction projects. With the joint efforts of the people nationwide, large-scale factories sprang up all over Yan Nation.
Inside the factory, brand-new machines began to operate. These machines combined the technology and mechanical power of the entire Shinobi World, a stark contrast to the previous method where ninjas relied solely on Ninjutsu and ordinary people on physical labor for production. Tasks that previously required ninjas to expend vast amounts of Chakra and time to complete were now more than ten times more efficient thanks to the rune-enhanced machines. In the textile factory, rune-enhanced mechanical arms moved swiftly, weaving exquisite bolts of fabric; in the steel factory, automated forging equipment crafted various advanced machines.
With the common people of Yan Nation becoming wealthier, commerce flourished. A steady stream of goods was transported throughout the country, transforming the economic landscape of the Shinobi World. The living standards of the common people of Yan Nation improved significantly, and their faces beamed with happy smiles.
With the widespread application of technology and machinery in all walks of life, the entire Shinobi World is undergoing earth-shattering changes. People's lifestyles have been completely overturned, and the way ninjas fight is also quietly changing. In the past, ninjas fought on the battlefield with Ninjutsu and Taijutsu; now, they are beginning to learn to operate machinery and use the power of technology to enhance their strength.